Travel trailer chassis

ABSTRACT

An improved travel trailer chassis that has a main section, which is connected to the axles of the wheels, a first elevated section that is connected to a forward end of the main section and is elevated above the main section and a second elevated section that is connected to a forward end of the first elevated section and is elevated above the first elevated section. The first elevated section is configured to receive a floor and fixtures to support a bathroom. A trunk space for storage is defined by a floor that extends forward from the main section of the chassis underneath the first elevated section of the chassis. One or more sewage tanks are mounted to the first elevated section of the chassis immediately beneath and substantially adjacent the floor of the bathroom supporting the fixtures. A drain assembly extends through the trunk space to an exhaust positioned outside of the trailer. The controls of the drain assembly are advantageously located within the trunk space at an elevated position above the ground.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to travel trailers and, in particular,concerns an improved chassis for travel trailers which provides betterpositioning for sewage tanks and allows for a trailer construction thatmakes more efficient use of storage space.

2. Description of the Related Art

Travel trailers are towed vehicles that have been outfitted with some orall of the facilities of a home for the convenience of the traveller.These types of trailers have become very popular throughout the world inthe last several decades. One relatively recent innovation in traveltrailers is the “fifth wheel” trailer wherein the forward section of thetrailer is elevated and the hitch mechanism is mounted on the bottomside of the elevated section of the trailer. The hitch mechanism istypically attached to a towing apparatus mounted in the bed of a pickuptruck. A cross-sectional view of a typical fifth wheel trailer isillustrated in FIG. 1A. The fifth wheel trailer configuration allows thetowing vehicle to tow a generally larger trailer.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the typical fifth wheel travel trailer 100 has amain level 102 and an elevated level 104. The elevated level 104typically contains a bedroom 106 and the main level 102 contains eatingfacilities and the like (not shown). Generally, a bathroom 110 isinterposed between the bedroom 106 and the main level 104. In thetypical prior art fifth wheel travel trailer, the trailer is supportedon a two-level chassis 112. The chassis 112 includes a main section 114,an elevated section 116 and an interconnecting vertical section 115. Themain level 102 of the trailer is built on top of the main section 114 ofthe chassis and the elevated level 104 is built on top of the elevatedsection 116 of the chassis 112.

In the typical prior art trailer 100, the bathroom 110 is positioned ona floor 122 that is built up and supported above the main section 114 ofthe trailer chassis 112 in a position substantially adjacent theelevated level 104 of the trailer 100. Generally, one or more sewagestorage tanks 132 are mounted on the chassis 112 underneath the bathroom110. As shown in FIG. 1B, in the typical prior art fifth wheel trailerconfiguration, the tanks are mounted on the main section 114 of theframe and plumbing extends from the bathroom 110 to the tanks 130, 132through a storage space, generally referred to as a trunk space 140,that extends between the floor of the bathroom 110 and the chassis 112.

One shortcoming of this configuration is that the plumbing in the trunkspace 140 limits the use of the space 140. Specifically, as illustratedin FIG. 1B, the plumbing can occupy a substantial portion of the trunkspace 140 leaving the space unavailable for storage of larger items.Further, if can be appreciated that it is difficult to load heavierobjects in the storage space as the storage space is elevated above thesewage tanks. It can also be appreciated that, since the sewage tanksand drains are mounted on the chassis, they are often exposed to theoutside environment which can result in the contents of the tanks anddrains freezing in cold weather, thereby hindering draining of the tank.

A further shortcoming of this configuration is that, since the sewagetanks are located adjacent the bottom of the trailer, a drainage control121 (FIG. 1B) is also typically located adjacent the bottom of thechassis of the trailer. In many fifth wheel trailer configurations, auser who is draining the sewage tanks ends up having to sit in the dirtor climb underneath the trailer to manipulate the controls to drain thesewage tanks. It can be appreciated that it is generally not desirableto have to sit or crawl in the dirt surrounding a sewage dumpingfacility.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In the preferred embodiment, the main section of the chassis is mountedto the wheel axle(s) of the trailer. Forward of the main section, thechassis of the trailer has a first elevated section which is elevatedabove the main section. In the preferred embodiment, a second elevatedsection of the chassis is positioned forward of the first elevatedsection of the chassis and the second elevated section is elevated abovethe first elevated section. In the preferred embodiment, the bathroomfacilities of the trailer are mounted on the first elevated section ofthe chassis. Further, the bedroom facilities of the trailer are mountedon the second elevated section of the chassis. This allows the tanks tobe positioned adjacent the chassis of the trailer, and thus beadequately supported, and still be raised sufficiently above the groundso that the valves and controls for the tanks are readily accessible toa user. Further, since the trunk space is below the tanks, it will beeasier for a user to load heavy objects into the trunk space.

A significant feature of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is that, the sewage tanks are mounted to the first elevatedsection of the chassis immediately underneath the floor of the bathroom.The controls for the sewage tanks are positioned within the spaceimmediately underneath the sewage tanks. It can be appreciated thatsince the tanks are mounted on an elevated section of the chassis, thetank drainage valves and controls will be elevated thereby reducing theneed for the user to have to climb under the trailer to access thecontrols of the drainage valves. Further, since the drain assembly andcontrols can be positioned within the enclosed trunk space, thenecessity of the user contacting the ground is further reduced and thelikelihood of the contents in the drain assembly freezing is alsominimized.

Another feature of the invention is that the utility of the storagetrunk space beneath the tanks is substantially enhanced. In thepreferred embodiment of the invention, the space immediately below thefirst elevated section is enclosed to provide this storage facility.

In the preferred embodiment, the tanks have a low profile so that, whenthey are mounted underneath the floor on the chassis, they aresubstantially retained adjacent the chassis. The trunk space is thusgenerally more accessible for storage purposes as only the drainagepiping and controls are positioned within the trunk space.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a sectional side view of a typical prior art trailerassembly;

FIG. 1B is a sectional front detailed view of the trunk space of theprior art trailer shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a sectional side view of the trailer assembly of thepreferred embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a sectional front detailed view of the trunk space of thetrailer assembly shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chassis assembly of the trailershown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the chassis assembly shown inFIG. 3, illustrating the configuration of a first elevated section ofthe chassis configured to receive the sewage tanks;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the chassis assembly shown inFIG. 3 illustrating the configuration of a second elevated section ofthe chassis configured to support a floor of a bedroom of the trailer;and

FIG. 6 is an alternate embodiment of a chassis for a trailer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout. FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a preferredembodiment of an improved travel trailer 200. As shown in FIG. 2A, thetravel trailer 200 includes a chassis 202 (outlined in heavy blacklines) that is coupled to the axles of the wheels 204. The chassis 202has a main section 206, a first elevated section 208 and a secondelevated section 210. Preferably, the main section 206 of the chassis202 supports the floor, walls and equipment contained within a mainsection 212 of the trailer 200. The main trailer section 212 preferablyincludes the eating and cooking facilities, various common areas andauxiliary sleeping areas (not shown). The first elevated section 208 ofthe chassis 202 preferably supports the floor, walls and equipmentcontained within a bathroom 214. The second elevated section 210 of thechassis 202 preferably supports the floor, walls and equipment containedwithin a bedroom 216.

In the preferred embodiment, a black-water tank 220 and a gray-watertank 222 are mounted on the first elevated section 208 of the chassis202 in an area immediately beneath the floor of the bathroom 214.Further, the space immediately beneath the tanks 220, 222 and firstelevated section 208 of the chassis 202 is enclosed to define a storagetrunk 224. The storage trunk 224 is largely clear of plumbing from thetanks 220, 222 except for a drain assembly 226. As shown in FIG. 2B, thedrain line assembly 226 is preferably connected to the tanks 220, 222 atsubstantially one end of the tanks 220, 222 to leave the majority of thespace within the trunk 224 empty. This allows for material and gear tobe stored within the trunk 224. Advantageously, the sidewalls 230 of thetrunk 224 are preferably equipped with access covers and doors (notshown) to allow access by a user to the trunk 224.

While, in the preferred embodiment, the trunk space 224 is comprised ofthe entire space below the first elevated section 208 of the chassis, itcan be appreciated that trunk storage spaces can also be formed bymounting boxes to the chassis of the trailer without enclosing theentire space below the first elevated section 208 of the chassis 202.

Hence, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the tanks 220, 222 are preferablymounted on a first elevated section 208 of the chassis 202 that iselevated above the main section 206 of the chassis 202. This results inone or more control valves 228 of the drain line assembly 226 also beingelevated above the main level 206 of the chassis 202. It can beappreciated that, if the first elevated section 208 of the chassis 202is sufficiently elevated, the controls 228 of the drain line 226 can belocated at a convenient level for the user to manipulate the controls,e.g., within the trunk space 224 at approximately waist level.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the chassis assembly 202 of the trailer200. The main trailer section 206 of the chassis assembly 202 includestwo main side chassis members 230a, 230b. The main side chassis members230a, 230b are interconnected by a plurality of transverse members 232.The axle(s) of the trailer 200 are connected to the main side chassismembers 230a, 230b in a well-known manner so that the wheels 204 allowfor rolling movement of the chassis 202. The rear ends of the main sidechassis members 230a, 230b are also interconnected by a rear transversemember 234.

In the preferred embodiment, the main side chassis members 230a, 230b,are made of pieces of 10-inch steel I-beam which may range in lengthfrom 12 to 30 feet. The main transverse members 232 are comprised of oneor more pieces of 10-inch by 68-inch steel Z-bar. The rear transversemember 234 is preferably comprised of a piece of 3.5-inch by 68-inchsteel L-bar. The main side chassis members 230a, 230b, the maintransverse members 232 and the rear transverse chassis members 234 arepreferably bolted and/or welded together in a well-known manner.

The main side chassis members 230a, 230b are respectively connected, attheir forward ends 236, to a transverse chassis strut 240. Thetransverse chassis strut 240 projects outward from the main side chassismembers 230a, 230b on either side of the vehicle. A first verticlechassis member 242 is connected to both of the outward ends of thetransverse chassis strut 240 (one shown). The first vertical chassismembers 242 each extend, in the preferred embodiment, perpendicularlyupward and are respectively connected to a first end of a first elevatedchassis member 244a, 244b. The first elevated chassis members 244a,bextend longitudinally along the length of the trailer 200 to define theouter dimensions of the first elevated section 208 of the trailer 200.The second ends of the first elevated chassis members 244a,b arerespectively connected to two second vertical chassis members 246a,246b.

The second vertical chassis members 246a, 246b each extend upward fromthe height of the first elevated section 208 to the height of the secondelevated section 210 and may extend downward substantially to the heightof the main section 206. Alternatively, the vertical members 246a, 246bmay only extend upward and other members can be attached to the firstelevated chassis members 244a,b so as to extend downwardly towards thetrunk space 124 and provide a platform for jacks (not shown) to bepositioned. At the bottom ends of the second vertical chassis members246a, 246b, two longitudinal trunk support members 248a, 248b arerespectively connected between the second vertical chassis members 246a,246b and the first vertical chassis members 242. A plurality oftransverse trunk support struts 250 extend between the longitudinaltrunk support members 248a, 248b. Flooring material, such as sheet metalor sheets of composite material, is then attached to the trunk supportmembers 248 and the trunk support struts 250 to form a floor 249 of thetrunk 224 )shown in FIG. 2b).

Similarly, a plurality of transverse floor support struts 252 areconnected to both of the first elevated chassis members 244a, 244b and alongitudinal support strut 254 is connected between the rearmosttransverse support strut 252 and the forward most transverse supportstrut 252. Flooring material is then preferably attached to the chassismembers 244a, 244b and the floor support struts 252, 254 to form a floor251 (FIGS. 2a and 2b) of the first elevated section 208 of the trailer200. In the preferred embodiment, a shower 259 and a toilet 261 (FIG.2,) are then securely mounted on the floor 251 in the first elevatedsection 208 in a well-known manner.

In the preferred embodiment, the transverse chassis strut 240 ispreferably comprised of one or more pieces of 2-inch by 8-inch steelrectangular tubing that is 0.180 inches thick and is 88 inches long. Thetwo first vertical chassis members 242 are preferably welded onto thetransverse chassis strut 240 and are preferably comprised of 2-inch by5-inch rectangular steel tubing that is 0.25 inches thick and is 26.5inches long. The two first elevated chassis members 244a, 244b arepreferably comprised of 2-inch by 5-inch rectangular steel tubing, 0.25inches thick and approximately 71 inches long.

Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the two second verticalchassis members 246a and 246b are preferably comprised of 2-inch by5-inch rectangular steel tubing that is 0.25 inches thick. The twosecond vertical chassis members 246a and 246b extend downwardapproximately the same distance as the two first vertical chassismembers 242a, 242b, i.e., to the approximate height of the main chassissection 206 of the trailer 200. The longitudinal trunk support members248a, 248b are preferably comprised of 2 inch by 2 inch steel tubingthat is 0.120 inches thick. The transverse trunk support struts 250 arepreferably comprised of 2 inch by 2 inch angle iron that is ⅛ inchthick. The transverse floor support struts 252 are preferably comprisedof pieces of 0.75 inch by 1.5-inch rectangular steel tubing that are0.75 inches thick and have varying lengths.

FIG. 3 further illustrates that the chassis 202 is configured to providesupport for a floor in the second elevated section 210 of the chassis202. Specifically, two second elevated chassis members 255a, 255b areconnected to the two second vertical chassis members 246a, 246b andextend horizontally forward therefrom. The second elevated section 210of the chassis 202 includes a first transverse strut 256 which ispositioned between the forward ends of the second elevated chassismembers 255a, 255b. A second transverse strut 257 is also positionedbetween the second elevated chassis members 255a, 255b towards theforward end of the second elevated section 210 of the trailer. Further,two longitudinal struts 260 extend between the transverse struts 256,257, at substantially the midpoint of the transverse struts 256, 257.The first and second transverse struts 256, 257 and the two longitudinalstruts 260 provide structural support for a hitch assembly 262 so thatthe hitch assembly 262 can be used to couple the trailer 200 to avehicle (not shown) that will pull the trailer 200.

In the preferred embodiment, the second elevated chassis members 255a,255b are comprised of 2-inch by 5-inch rectangular steel tubing that is0.25 inches thick and approximately 73.75 inches long. The twotransverse support struts 256, 257 are preferably comprised of pieces of2 inch by 5-inch rectangular steel tubing that is 0.25 inches thick andapproximately 88.25 inches long. The two longitudinal support struts 260are preferably included in a standard hitch attaching parts kit designedfor the trailer hitch 262. The two longitudinal support struts 260 arecentered about the center of the transverse support struts 256, 257 andare spaced approximately 13 inches apart.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the first elevated section 208 ofthe chassis 202 which illustrates the manner in which the tanks 220, 222are mounted on the chassis 202 in the preferred embodiment. The tanks220, 222 are configured to have a wide upper section 263 and a lowersection 264 that is narrower than the upper section 263. Hence a lip266, which extends substantially the entire length of the tanks 220, 222transversely across the chassis 202, is formed between the upper section263 and the lower section 264 on either side of the lower section 264 ofboth the tanks 220, 222. A lengthwise view of the tanks 220, 222 isshown in FIG. 2B which further illustrates the two sections of the tanks220, 222. The tanks 220, 222 in the preferred embodiment are 44 gallontanks having approximate dimensions of 4 inches by 80 inches by 11inches and are available from Inca Plastics Corporation in Ontario, CA.

Each of the tanks 220, 222 are preferably supported underneath the floor251 (FIG. 2b) of the first elevated section 208 of the chassis 202 by apair of bracket members 270, 272 which are coupled to, and extendbetween, the first elevated chassis members 244a, 244b (see, FIG. 3). Inthe preferred embodiment, the bracket members 270 are welded at theirends to the first elevated chassis members 244a, 244b and the bracketmembers 272 are each bolted to a flange member 274 that is bolted toeach of the first elevated chassis members 244a, 244b. The bracketmembers 270, 272 are generally L-shaped pieces of steel where a bottomsurface 276 of each of the bracket members 270, 272 is configured toreceive the lip 266 of the tanks 220, 222. In the preferred embodiment,the bracket are comprised of 2 inch by 2 inch angle iron that is ⅛ inchthick.

Specifically, in the preferred embodiment, the lip 266 is positioned soas to rest on the bottom surface 276 of each of the bracket members 270,272. It can be appreciated that installation of the tanks 220, 222 issimplified by welding one of the two bracket members 270 for each tankto the first elevated chassis members 244a, 244b and then bolting theother bracket member 272 for each tank in place. For example, a firstlip 266 on a first side of the tank 220 can initially be positioned onthe bracket 270 while the bracket 272 is removed from the flange members274. The opposite or second side of the tank 220 can then be lifted upand the bracket 272 can then be bolted to the flange members 274 whilethe tank 220 is being lifted out of the way. Subsequently, the secondlip 266 on the second side of the tank can then be lowered onto thebottom surface 276 of the bolted bracket member 272. Removal of eitherof the tanks 220, 222 is also simplified, the bracket 272 simply has tobe unbolted from the flange 274, the plumbing connected to the tank hasto be disconnected and the tank can be removed.

Hence, in the preferred embodiment, each of the tanks 220, 222 arerespectively supported by two bracket members 270, 272 which extendtransversely across the width of the chassis 202 between the firstelevated chassis members 244a, 244b. The tanks 220, 222 are, therefore,mounted adjacent the floor 251 of the first elevated section 208 of thechassis 202, i.e., adjacent the ceiling of the trunk space 224. Since,in the preferred embodiment, the first elevated section 208 contains thetoilet 261 and shower 259, plumbing can be directly run from the toiletto an opening 278 in the upper surface of the upper section 263 of theblack-water tank 220. Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, plumbingcan be run from the shower through vented pipe fittings and the like toan opening 280 in the upper surface of the upper section 263 of thegray-water holding tank 222. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG.4, the tanks 220, 222 extend transversely across the chassis 202. It canbe appreciated however, that the tanks 220, 222 can be mounted to extendlongitudinally along the elevated section 208 of the chassis 202 bysimply mounting brackets 270, 272 of an appropriate lengthlongitudinally along this section of the chassis 202. As is generallyunderstood in the art, the tanks 220, 222 can be mounted in such a wayto allow for different bathroom configurations within the trailer 200.

It can be appreciated that, unlike the prior art, designing the chassis202 to have the first elevated section 208, which is supported by thefirst elevated chassis members 244a, 244b, allows the tanks 220, 222 tobe securely mounted to the chassis 202 adjacent the ceiling of the trunk224. Hence, the plumbing which connects the bathroom fixtures to thetanks 220, 222 does not extend into the trunk space 224 which allows formore storage inside the trunk space.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the only plumbing which is positionedwithin the trunk 224 is the drain plumbing assembly 226. The drainplumbing assembly 226 in the preferred embodiment includes a y-shapedfitting 284 that receives plumbing from both tanks 220, 222. The bottomend of the y-shaped fitting connects to an exhaust opening 286. Theexhaust opening 286 is preferably positioned underneath the level of thetransverse trunk support struts 250 (FIG. 3) and hence underneath thefloor 249 of the trunk space 224. The exhaust opening 286 is thuspreferably positioned immediately underneath the floor of the trunk 224in a position where it is readily accessible to the user. For example,it would generally be desirable to locate the exhaust opening 286substantially adjacent one side of the trailer 200 to allow for easyaccess by the user and to also maximize the available storage spacewithin the trunk space 224 (FIG. 2B).

The drain plumbing assembly 226 is preferably valved to allow the userto selectively drain the tanks 220, 222. In the embodiment shown in FIG.4, there is a grey-water control valve 228a on the plumbing extendingfrom the grey-water tank 222 to the y-shaped fitting 284. Further, thereis black valve 228b that is positioned on the plumbing extending fromthe black water tank 220 to the shaped fitting 284. In the preferredembodiment, the drain plumbing assembly 226 is comprised of plasticpiping such as 3″ ABS piping with accompanying valves.

It can be appreciated that, since the tanks 220, 222 are located at topof the trunk space 224, the valves 228a, 228b are positioned within thetrunk space 224 and not underneath the chassis 202. In the preferredembodiment, the bottom of the main level 206 of the chassis 202 isapproximately 20 inches off of the ground and the bottom of the firstelevated section 208 is approximately 46 inches off of the ground. Thefloor 249 of the trunk space 224 is at substantially the same level asthe bottom of the main section 206 of the chassis 202 and the ceiling ofthe trunk space 224 is at the underside of the first elevated section208, or approximately 46 inches above the ground.

Hence, since the control valves 228a, 228b are located towards themiddle of the trunk space 224, the control valves are approximately 2 to3 feet off of the ground which makes them readily accessible to theuser. The user therefore does not have to climb underneath the trailer200 to manipulate the control valves to drain the black and gray-watertanks 220, 222 as is generally required with prior art trailers. Rather,the user simply has to open an access door (not shown) to the trunkspace 224 and reach in and manipulate the valves 228a, 228b.

FIG. 5 illustrates that the second elevated section 210 of the traileris configured to have the floor mounted towards the bottom of the secondelevated chassis members 255a, 255b. Specifically, a railing 297 extendsaround the interior perimeter of the second elevated chassis members255a, 255b and the rear transverse strut 257. Floor support struts 298are then coupled to the railing 297 so as to extend transversely acrossthe chassis 202 of the trailer. A floor 299 (partially shown) of thebedroom 216 is then built on top of the railing 297 and the floorsupport struts 298. It can be appreciated that using a floor supportingstructure, such as the railings 297 and the floor support struts 298,which is attached to the bottom surface of the second elevated chassismembers 255a, 255b maximizes the amount of headspace that is provided inthe bedroom 216 without increasing the overall height of the trailer200.

The foregoing description has described a trailer 200 that utilizes an“outboard” design, i.e., the elevated sections 208, 210 of the chassis202 extend outward from the main section 206 of the chassis 202. This isthe result of the transverse chassis strut 240 being wider than thewidth of the main section 206 of the chassis 202. It can be appreciated,however, that the unique aspects of the double step chassis 202 can beincorporated into different chassis designs.

For example, FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate chassis 302 which includesa main section 306, a first elevated section 308 and a second elevatedsection 310. As in the embodiment described above, the first elevatedsection 308 preferably supports a bathroom 214 and the second elevatedsection preferably supports a bedroom 216. The primary distinctionbetween the chassis 302 and the chassis 202 is that the elevatedsections 308, 310 do not extend outward from the main section 306 of thechassis 302. Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, two mainside chassis members 230a, 230b are respectively attached to two firstvertical chassis members 342a, 342b. Hence, the width of the firstelevated section 308 of the chassis 302 is the same as the width of themain section 306 of the chassis 302.

However, if some circumstances it may be desirable that the floor of thebathroom 214 be wider than the actual chassis. To accomplish this, aplurality of outriggers 320 are mounted on the outer surfaces of thefirst elevated chassis members 344a, 344b. The outriggers 320 arebasically comprised of triangular pieces of metal that provide a flatsurface 322 co-planar with the surface formed from the elevated chassismembers 344a, 344b and a plurality of floor support struts 352. Thefloor can then be built on top of the floor support struts 352 and theflat surface 322 of the outriggers 320. Hence, the outriggers can extendthe width of the trailer in the first elevated section 308. The tanks220, 222 can then be mounted underneath the floor of the first elevatedsection 308 of the chassis 302 in the same manner as described above.

The foregoing description has described a chassis wherein the chassisitself is vertically elevated to define a first elevated section that isconfigured to support the gray- and black-water tanks. This allows forthe tanks to be positioned immediately underneath the bathroom fixturesin a trailer which minimizes the amount of space occupied by theplumbing for these fixtures. Further, since the tanks are mounted abovethe bottom level of the trailer chassis, the user has significantlyeasier access to the draining control valves which facilitates drainageof the tanks. Additionally, since the drain pipe assembly is enclosed inthe storage trunk, fluid in the drain pipe assembly is less likely tofreeze in cold weather. Finally, it can also be appreciated that, sincethe trunk space is located underneath the trailer chassis and underneaththe sewage tanks, it is easier to load the storage trunk as the storagetrunk is closer to the ground than the storage trunk in the typicalprior art fifth wheel trailer and, hence, heavy objects don't need to belifted as high.

Although the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention has shown, described and pointed out the fundamentalnovel features of the invention, it will be understood that variousomissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of theapparatus as illustrated, as well as the uses thereof, may be made bythose skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of thepresent invention. Consequently, the scope of the invention should notbe limited to the foregoing discussion, but should be defined by theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An improved fifth wheel travel trailer having aset of trailer wheels and a chassis overlying said trailer wheels,wherein the chassis has a raised floor and defines a bathroom sitting onsaid raised floor, whereby at least one plumbing drainage control islocated above the bottom of said chassis, and at least one sewageholding tank is located immediately beneath said raised floor, saidfifth wheel trailer comprising; a main chassis section that is coupledto said wheels to allow for rolling motion of said trailer and so thatsaid main chassis section is positioned at a first height above saidground wherein said main chassis section is configured to support a mainsection of said trailer; a first elevated chassis section beneath saidbathroom, said first elevated section having one end coupled to a firstend of said main chassis section so that said chassis section ispositioned at a second height above said ground; one or more of saidsewage holding tanks mounted to said first elevated section of saidchassis; a second elevated chassis section beneath the bedroom of saidtravel trailer, said second chassis section having an end connected tosaid first elevated chassis section; a fifth wheel hitch attached to thebottom of said second elevated chassis section; a storage compartmentlocated below said first elevated section, the bottom of said storagecompartment being located approximately in the plane of the bottom ofsaid main chassis section; and said plumbing drainage controls connectedto said sewage holding tanks so that the user can drain said sewagetanks into an external sewage receptacle, said plumbing drainagecontrols being located within said storage compartment above the planeof the bottom of said main chassis section.
 2. An improved fifth wheeltravel trailer having a raised floor that defines a bathroom sitting onthe raised floor, whereby at least one sewage holding tank is locatedimmediately beneath said raised floor, said fifth wheel trailercomprising; a main chassis section that is coupled to wheels to allowfor rolling motion of said trailer and so that a main chassis section ispositioned at a first height above said ground wherein said main chassissection is configured to support a main section of said trailer; a firstelevated chassis section beneath said bathroom, said first elevatedsection having one end coupled to a first end of said main chassissection so that said chassis section is positioned at a second heightabove said ground; one or more of said sewage holding tanks mounted tosaid first elevated section of said chassis; a second elevated chassissection beneath a bedroom of said travel trailer, said second chassissection having an end connected to said first elevated chassis section;a fifth wheel hitch attached to the bottom of said second elevatedchassis section; and a storage compartment located below said firstelevated section, the bottom of said storage compartment being locatedapproximately in the plane of the bottom of said main chassis section.3. An improved fifth wheel travel trailer having a set of trailer wheelsand a chassis overlying said trailer wheels, wherein the chassis has atleast one plumbing drainage control is located above the bottom of saidchassis, said fifth wheel trailer comprising; a main chassis sectionthat is coupled to said wheels to allow for rolling motion of saidtrailer and so that said main chassis section is positioned at a firstheight above said ground wherein said main chassis section is configuredto support a main section of said trailer; a first elevated chassissection beneath a bathroom, said first elevated section having one endcoupled to a first end of said main chassis section so that said chassissection is positioned at a second height above said ground; a secondelevated chassis section beneath a bedroom of said travel trailer, saidsecond chassis section having an end connected to said first elevatedchassis section; a fifth wheel hitch attached to the bottom of saidsecond elevated chassis section; a storage compartment located belowsaid first elevated section, the bottom of said storage compartmentbeing located approximately in the plane of the bottom of said mainchassis section; and said plumbing drainage controls being locatedwithin said storage compartment above the plane of the bottom of saidmain chassis section.
 4. A chassis for a trailer that is mounted on atleast a pair of wheels comprising: a main chassis section that iscoupled to said wheels to allow for rolling motion of said trailer andso that said main chassis section is positioned at a first height abovesaid ground wherein said main chassis section is configured to support amain section of said trailer; a first elevated section that isconfigured to support a bathroom and is coupled to a first end of saidmain chassis section so that said first elevated section is elevatedabove said main chassis section so as to be positioned at a secondheight above said ground wherein a trunk space is defined within thespace immediately beneath said first elevated section; one or moresewage tanks mounted on said first elevated section of said chassisadjacent said trunk space; and a drain assembly connected to said sewagetanks which allows a user to drain said sewage tanks into an externalsewage receptacle, wherein said drain assembly includes one or morecontrol valves which are located within said trunk space that said usermanipulates to drain said sewage tanks.
 5. The chassis of claim 4,wherein said first elevated section is configured to support a floor andone or more fixtures of a bathroom in said trailer.
 6. The chassis ofclaim 5, wherein said first elevated section is configured to support atoilet and a shower positioned on said floor.
 7. The chassis of claim 6,wherein said one or more sewage tanks comprises a black water tank thatis mounted on said chassis so as to be immediately beneath andsubstantially adjacent a position where said toilet is to be mounted onsaid floor built on said chassis.
 8. The chassis of claim 7, whereinsaid one or more sewage tanks also comprises a grey water tank that ismounted on said chassis so as to be immediately beneath andsubstantially adjacent a position wherein said shower is to be mountedon said floor built on said chassis.
 9. The chassis of claim 4, whereinsaid first elevated section of said chassis includes two spaced apartelevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along said chassisand are interconnected by one or more transverse floor support strutswhich extend transversely across said chassis between said two elevatedchassis members.
 10. The chassis of claim 9, wherein said elevatedchassis members are respectively connected, at a first end, to two firstvertical chassis members that interconnect said elevated chassis membersand said main chassis section.
 11. The chassis of claim 10, wherein saidfirst elevated section also includes two second vertical chassis membersthat are respectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassismembers and extend downward to substantially said first height of saidmain chassis section.
 12. The chassis of claim 11, wherein twolongitudinal trunk support members are respectively connected betweensaid ends of said first and said second vertical chassis members atsubstantially said first height of said main chassis section.
 13. Thechassis of claim 12, wherein said trunk space is defined by saidelevated chassis members, said first and said second vertical chassismembers and said longitudinal trunk support members.
 14. The chassis ofclaim 13, wherein said one or more tanks extend transversely across saidchassis between said elevated chassis members so as to be supported atsubstantially said second height.
 15. The chassis of claim 14, whereinsaid one or more tanks are configured to have one or more lips and saidelevated section includes one or more support brackets which extendtransversely between said elevated chassis members so that said one ormore lips on said tanks rest on said one or more support brackets toretain said one or more tanks in a position adjacent said second height.16. The chassis of claim 4, wherein said first height is approximately20 inches above said ground and said second height is approximately 50inches above the ground and said one or more control valves of saiddrain assembly are approximately 30 inches of said ground.
 17. A chassisfor a trailer that is configured to be towed behind a vehiclecomprising: an axle assembly interconnecting a pair of wheels; a mainchassis section having a first and a second end wherein the main chassissection is supported by said axle assembly at a first height above theground; a first elevated section having a first and a second end whereinsaid first end is connected to said second end of said main chassissection so as to be supported at a second height above the groundwherein said second height is elevated above said first height andwherein a trunk space is defined in the space immediately beneath saidfirst elevated section; one or more sewage tanks mounted on said firstelevated section of said chassis adjacent said trunk space; and a drainassembly connected to said sewage tanks and extending downwardtherefrom, wherein said drain assembly includes control valves that aremounted within said space immediately beneath the first elevated sectionof the chassis.
 18. The chassis of claim 17, further comprising a secondelevated section attached to a second end of said first elevated sectionso as to be supported at a third height above said ground wherein saidthird height is greater than said second height.
 19. The chassis ofclaim 18, wherein said second elevated section is comprised of a pair ofspaced second vertical chassis members having a first and a second endand a top and bottom edge.
 20. The chassis of claim 19, wherein saidpair of spaced second elevated chassis members are interconnected by oneor more struts which extend transversely across said chassis and a hitchassembly can be connected to said struts so as to be positioned at saidsecond end of said second elevated section substantially underneath saidsecond elevated section.
 21. The chassis of claim 20, wherein a lip isattached to both of said second elevated chassis members substantiallyadjacent said bottom edge of said second elevated members wherein saidlip is configured to receive a floor for a bedroom to be built on saidsecond elevated section of said chassis.
 22. The chassis of claim 21,wherein said first elevated section of said chassis includes two spacedapart elevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along saidchassis and are interconnected by one or more transverse floor supportstruts which extend transversely across said chassis between said twoelevated chassis members.
 23. The chassis of claim 22, wherein saidelevated chassis members are respectively connected, at a first end, totwo first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevatedchassis members and said main chassis section.
 24. The chassis of claim23, wherein said first elevated section also includes two secondvertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second endof said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantiallysaid first height of said main chassis section.
 25. The chassis of claim24, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectivelyconnected between said ends of said first and said second verticalchassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassissection.
 26. The chassis of claim 25, wherein said trunk space isdefined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said secondvertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.27. The chassis of claim 26, wherein said one or more tanks extendtransversely across said chassis between said elevated chassis membersso as to be supported at substantially said second height.
 28. Thechassis of claim 27, wherein said one or more tanks are configured tohave one or more lips and said elevated section includes one or moresupport brackets which extend transversely between said elevated chassismembers so that said one or more lips on said tanks rest on said one ormore support brackets to retain said one or more tanks in a positionadjacent said second height.
 29. The chassis of claim 17, wherein saidfirst height is approximately 20 inches above said ground and saidsecond height is approximately 50 inches above the ground and said oneor more control valves of said drain assembly are approximately 30inches of said ground.
 30. A chassis for a trailer that is configured tobe towed behind a vehicle comprising: an axle assembly interconnecting apair of wheels; a main chassis section having a first and a second endwherein said main chassis section is supported by said axle assembly ata first height above the ground; a first elevated section having a firstand a second end wherein a first end is connected to said second end ofsaid main chassis section so as to be supported at a second height abovethe ground wherein said second height is elevated above the first heightand wherein the space immediately beneath said first elevated sectiondefines a trunk space; a second elevated section attached to a secondend of said first elevated section so as to be supported at a thirdheight above said ground wherein said third height is greater than saidsecond height; one or more sewage tanks mounted on said first elevatedsection of said chassis so as to extend transversely across saidchassis; and a drain assembly connected to said sewage tanks andextending downward therefrom, through said trunk space, wherein saiddrain assembly includes control valves that are mounted within saidtrunk space.
 31. The chassis of claim 30, wherein said first elevatedsection of said chassis includes two spaced apart elevated chassismembers that extend longitudinally along said chassis and areinterconnected by one or more transverse floor support struts whichextend transversely across said chassis between said two elevatedchassis members.
 32. The chassis of claim 31, wherein said elevatedchassis members are respectively connected, at a first end, to two firstvertical chassis members that interconnect said elevated chassis membersand said main chassis section.
 33. The chassis of claim 32, wherein saidfirst elevated section also includes two second vertical chassis membersthat are respectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassismembers and extend downward to substantially said first height of saidmain chassis section.
 34. The chassis of claim 33, wherein twolongitudinal trunk support members are respectively connected betweensaid ends of said first and said second vertical chassis members atsubstantially said first height of said main chassis section.
 35. Thechassis of claim 34, wherein said trunk space is defined by saidelevated chassis members, said first and said second vertical chassismembers and said longitudinal trunk support members.
 36. The chassis ofclaim 35, wherein said one or more tanks extend transversely across saidchassis between said elevated chassis members so as to be supported atsubstantially said second height.
 37. The chassis of claim 36, whereinsaid one or more tanks are configured to have one or more lips and saidelevated section includes one or more support brackets which extendtransversely between said elevated chassis members so that said one ormore lips on said tanks rest on said one or more support brackets toretain said one or more tanks in a position adjacent said second height.38. A chassis for a trailer that is mounted on at least a pair of wheelscomprising: a main chassis section that is coupled to said wheels toallow for rolling motion of said trailer and so that said main chassissection is positioned at a first height above said ground wherein saidmain chassis section is configured to support a main section of saidtrailer; a first elevated section that is configured to support abathroom and is coupled to a first end of said main chassis section sothat said first elevated section is elevated above said main chassissection so as to be positioned at a second height above said groundwherein a trunk space is defined within the space immediately beneathsaid first elevated section; one or more sewage tanks mounted on saidfirst elevated section of said chassis adjacent said trunk space; and adrain assembly connected to said sewage tanks which allows a user todrain said sewage tanks into an external sewage receptacle.
 39. Thechassis of claim 38, wherein the first elevated section is configured tosupport a floor and one or more fixtures of a bathroom in said trailer.40. The chassis of claim 39, wherein said first elevated section isconfigured to support a toilet and a shower positioned on said floor.41. The chassis of claim 40, wherein said one or more sewage tankscomprise a black water tank that is mounted on said chassis so as to beimmediately beneath and substantially adjacent a position wherein saidtoilet is to be mounted on said floor built on said chassis.
 42. Thechassis of claim 41, wherein said one or more sewage tanks alsocomprises a gray water tank that is mounted on said chassis so as to beimmediately beneath and substantially adjacent a position wherein saidshower is to be mounted on said floor built on said chassis.
 43. Thechassis of claim 38, wherein said first elevated section of said chassisincludes two spaced apart elevated chassis members that extendlongitudinally along said chassis and are interconnected by one or moretransverse floor support struts which extend transversely across saidchassis between said two elevated chassis members.
 44. The chassis ofclaim 43, wherein said first elevated chassis members are respectivelyconnected at a first end, to two first vertical chassis members thatinterconnect said elevated chassis members and said main chassissection.
 45. The chassis of claim 44, wherein said first elevatedsection also includes two second vertical chassis members that arerespectively connected to a second end of said elevated chassis membersand extend downward to substantially said first height of said mainchassis section.
 46. The chassis of claim 45, wherein two longitudinaltrunk support members are respectively connected between said ends ofsaid first and said second vertical chassis members at substantiallysaid first height of said main chassis section.
 47. The chassis of claim46, wherein said trunk space is defined by said elevated chassismembers, said first and said second vertical chassis members and saidlongitudinal trunk support members.
 48. The chassis of claim 47, whereinsaid one or more tanks extend transversely across said chassis betweensaid elevated chassis members so as to be supported at substantiallysaid second height.
 49. The chassis of claim 48, wherein said one ormore tanks are configured to have one or more lips and said elevatedsection includes one or more support brackets which extend transverselybetween said elevated chassis members so that said one or more lips onsaid tank rest on said one or more support brackets to retain said oneor more tanks in a positioned adjacent said second height.
 50. Thechassis of claim 38, wherein said first height is approximately 20inches above said ground and said second height is approximately 30inches above said ground.
 51. The chassis of claim 38, wherein saiddrain assembly includes one or more control valves.
 52. The chassis ofclaim 51, wherein said one or more control valves that a usermanipulates to drain said sewage tanks are located within said trunkspace.
 53. A chassis for a trailer that is configured to be towed behinda vehicle comprising: an axle assembly interconnecting a pair of wheels;a main chassis section having a first and a second end wherein the mainchassis section is supported by said axle assembly at a first heightabove the ground; a first elevated section having a first and a secondend wherein said first end is connected to said second end of said mainchassis section so as to be supported at a second height above theground wherein said second height is elevated above said first heightand wherein a trunk space is defined in the space immediately beneathsaid first elevated section; one or more sewage tanks mounted on saidfirst elevated section of said chassis adjacent said trunk space; adrain assembly connected to said sewage tanks which allows a user todrain said sewage tanks into an external sewage receptacle.
 54. Thechassis of claim 53, further comprising a second elevated sectionattached to a second end of said first elevated section so as to besupported at a third height above said ground wherein said third heightis greater than said second height.
 55. The chassis of claim 54, whereinsaid second elevated section is comprised of a pair of spaced secondvertical chassis members having a first and a second end and a top and abottom edge.
 56. The chassis of claim 55, wherein said pair of spacedsecond elevated chassis members are interconnected by one or more strutswhich extend transversely across said chassis and a hitch assembly canbe connected to said struts so as to be positioned at a second end ofsaid second elevated section substantially underneath said secondelevated section.
 57. The chassis of claim 56, wherein a lip is attachedto both of said second elevated chassis members substantially adjacentsaid bottom edge of said second elevated members wherein said lip isconfigured to receive a floor for a bedroom to be built on said secondelevated section of said chassis.
 58. The chassis of claim 57, whereinsaid first elevated section of said chassis includes two spaced apartelevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along said chassisand are interconnected by one or more transverse floor support strutswhich extend transversely across said chassis between said two elevatedchassis members.
 59. The chassis of claim 58, wherein said firstelevated chassis members are respectively connected at a first end, totwo first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevatedchassis members and said main chassis section.
 60. The chassis of claim59, wherein said first elevated section also includes two secondvertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second endof said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantiallysaid first height of said main chassis section.
 61. The chassis of claim60, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectivelyconnected between said ends of said first and said second verticalchassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassissection.
 62. The chassis of claim 61, wherein said trunk space isdefined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said secondvertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.63. The chassis of claim 62, wherein said one or more tanks extendtransversely across said chassis between said elevated chassis membersso as to be supported at substantially said second height.
 64. Thechassis of claim 63, wherein said one or more tanks are configured tohave one or more lips and said elevated section includes one or moresupport brackets which extend transversely between said elevated chassismembers so that said one or more lips on said tanks rest on said one ormore support brackets to retain said one or more tanks in a positionedadjacent said second height.
 65. The chassis of claim 53, wherein saidfirst height is approximately 20 inches above said ground and saidsecond height is approximately 30 inches above said ground.
 66. Thechassis of claim 53, wherein said drain assembly includes one or morecontrol valves.
 67. The chassis of claim 66, wherein said one or morecontrol valves that a user manipulates to drain said sewage tanks arelocated within said trunk space.
 68. A chassis for a trailer that isconfigured to be towed behind a vehicle comprising: an axle assemblyinterconnecting a pair of wheels; a main chassis section having a firstand a second end wherein said main chassis section is supported by saidaxle assembly at a first height above the ground; a first elevatedsection having a first and a second end wherein a first end is connectedto said second end of said main chassis section so as to be supported ata second height above the ground wherein said second height is elevatedabove the first height and wherein the space immediately beneath saidfirst elevated section defines a trunk space; and a second elevatedsection attached to a second end of the first elevated section so as tobe supported at a third height above said ground wherein said thirdheight is greater than said second height.
 69. The chassis of claim 68,wherein said first elevated section of said chassis includes two spacedapart elevated chassis members that extend longitudinally along saidchassis and are interconnected by one or more transverse floor supportstruts which extend transversely across said chassis between said twoelevated chassis members.
 70. The chassis of claim 69, wherein saidelevated chassis members are respectively connected at a first end, totwo first vertical chassis members that interconnect said elevatedchassis members and said main chassis section.
 71. The chassis of claim70, wherein said first elevated section also includes two secondvertical chassis members that are respectively connected to a second endof said elevated chassis members and extend downward to substantiallysaid first height of said main chassis section.
 72. The chassis of claim71, wherein two longitudinal trunk support members are respectivelyconnected between said ends of said first and said second verticalchassis members at substantially said first height of said main chassissection.
 73. The chassis of claim 72, wherein said trunk space isdefined by said elevated chassis members, said first and said secondvertical chassis members and said longitudinal trunk support members.